Helser's on Alberta

07/09/2008 Posted by faerymama

i live really close to helser's and have eaten there frequently for a while now. lately, it seems that all of the regular servers have left and the quality of service has declined alot. orders aren't taken correctly--getting poached eggs when i ordered scrambled--and the food sits in the window for a long time before anyone thinks to bring it to the table so everything in lukewarm at best. the food also seems to be inconsistent, too. the fruit that accompanies the dishes isn't the best quality and no one seems to have any qualms about putting decomposing fruit on the plate. it's all really too bad because this place has been my favorite on alberta street , but i think i'd rather wait in line at tin shed because at least there, the food and quality of service is top notch.

Pros: no wait during the week

Cons: terrible service, inconsistent food

07/01/2008 Posted by knary

As it's only a couple blocks from our home, we've been eating there regularly for three plus years. The food is solid, and the service usually good. Is it the greatest breakfast place? no. If you're looking for a breakfast "event", I wouldn't choose it. But when we want a straight forward breakfast at an ok price, it's our top choice. We almost never go to Tin Shed because by the time the food arrives, I've written a novel and eaten someone's child. Helser's is ready and willing to serve half portions of most anything and will make you most anything you ask for. Best is before 9 am, especially during the week, when Helser's serves a limited menu of sane portions for a modest price.

Pros: nice people, good location, amazing bacon

Cons: noisy, busy on weekends

06/13/2008 Posted by porkee

went to brunch during the weekend. we didn't have to wait cause we got the last table, but the people after us waited 15-20 mins. like the other reviews said, the service was slow. they had two servers covering the floor (~10 tables?). the crumpet does not go well with the smoked salmon benedict (too soft - would have been better with a biscuit), though the salmon and hollendaise tasted good. hot links were spicy and flavorful. potato cakes were flavored well, but could have had a better texture (too soft- i like mine crispy exterior with soft interior). brioche french toast was unevenly flavored and pretty bland. center of french toast was too soft without a firm crust to my liking. if you want good breakfast/brunch on alberta, try Tin Shed down the street

Pros: hot links

Cons: slow service, mediocre food

06/10/2008 Posted by shabbyshelly

Highly dissapointed after waiting for an hour! I watched repeated parties of 2 that had arrived after us being seated to tables that were large enough to seat our party. They intentionally "snubbed" us becouse we has three children. We questioned the hostess only to be told our table was being cleared now, than watch it given to another party. Sorry Helser's it 's not worth the drive from Vancouver only to be treated badly!

Pros: Great neighborhood to watch while waiting for table

Cons: Horrible service

04/04/2008 Posted by carpetman2

Not worth the bother and certainly not worth the money. We had breakfast there, and it was s-l-o-w service, greasy food, and served "luke warm" to boot. Somebody should train the help (and learn how to clean a table). Nothing like the ad copy says, in this listing!

Pros: They have lights in the ceiling.

Cons: Some of them were burned out!

01/07/2008 Posted by flapman

several parties who sat down after us got their meals before we did. in fact, they were finished eating before we got our food. when it arrived it was bland and unremarkable.

10/26/2007 Posted by riverall

Everyone I dined with this morning very much enjoyed their food. I shared the brioche french toast and potato pancakes which were both very tasty. The service was excellent as well. I’ve never been disappointed with my overall experience at Helsers.

Pros: excellent preparation

Cons: sometimes a long wait, small space

09/28/2007 Posted by northwester

A little loud, and a wait just like anywhere else in town. But sit at the bar and you'll have more space and get in and out faster. Plus you're RIGHT THERE when your coffee gets low.

07/13/2007 Posted by tod1106

Yeeesss...Helser's on Alberta. The pedestrians spilling from it's door clog traffic on weekend mornings. It looks like it was grown down in SE Portland then transplanted here to the NE... Despite it's hip appearance, and the people that crowd outside it's doors on Saturdays and Sundays, I wouldn't recommend it. It's a pretty good cafe, not a GREAT cafe. The Scotch Eggs (a hardboiled egg wrapped in bacon and deep fried) are pretty novel. The menu seems clever at first glance. But I think, like many "hip, urban" restaurants, it over-reaches. The food's okay--in my opinion, a little over-priced for the portions. The coffee's great, and the waitstaff is standard-quality. Perhaps you should go to the Tin Shed, instead (a few blocks west). That, in my opinion, is the best restaurant on Alberta.

Pros: The coffee, and the location

Cons: The...food?

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07/01/2007 Posted by allen_watson

I went here at the invitation of a friend and was very pleased! We sat outdoors, which allowed me to have my dog curled up at my feet. The food and service were fine. I enjoyed the crumpets, which I had not eaten before. I look forward to going back to try a different dish. The prices are quite reasonable, too.

Pros: Moderate prices, good food